Brandon LaFell is becoming more and more comfortable with Tom Brady, and the Patriots are envisioning more and more of a role for their new wide receiver.
Via Chris Mason of the Boston Herald, Patriots coach Bill Belichick has been impressed with the former second-round pick.
“I think he’ll be able to carve out a role for himself here,” Belichick said. “Might be a big one. He’s finding different ways to contribute, whether it’s blocking, receiving or special teams. He’s done whatever we’ve asked of him, and he’s done it well. He’s gotten better at it.”
At the moment, that might include special teams, where LaFell was never really a factor for the Panthers. But he’s a physical receiver who is willing and able to block, which helps make up for hands that are unreliable at times.
But after spending time in Carolina with the improvisational genius of Cam Newton, he’s had to adjust to working with Brady, a completely different kind of quarterback.
“He expects you to be exactly where he wants you to be on every route,” LaFell said of Brady. “Not a yard off. Not a yard too deep. Not a yard too short. He expects you to be exactly where he wants you to be, because he’s going to put the ball placement exactly right.
“I’m feeling way more comfortable. Just being in the huddle with Brady, hearing him call the plays and stuff like that. I’m way more comfortable.”
He’ll have to catch the ball consistently to stay in Brady’s good gracces, but for now, the Patriots sound pleased with an under-the-radar acquisition.